The pursuit of happiness is a knock-down, drag-out fight. And only the strong survive.
From now through the summer, you’ll have several chances to arm yourself with a little bit of humor in an effort to make life easier in Delaware.
Here’s a glance at some can’t-miss comedy shows headed to Delaware, featuring some of the best tacticians in the business.
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Paula Poundstone, The Grand
She’s part of a small club of comedians who’ve hosted the White House Correspondents Dinner. In fact, Paula Poundstone become the first woman to do so, according to her bio.
The comedian has appeared on multiple HBO specials and is a regular guest on NPR’s comedy news quiz, “Wait Wait … Don’t Tell Me!”
Paula Poundstone charms her audience with her spontaneous humor that’s sandwiched between intellect and a big slice of funny observations.
The Grand (818 N. Market St., Wilmington) at 8 p.m. Friday, April 14. Tickets are $40-$48. Visit thegrandwilmington.org or (800) 37-GRAND.
Jackie Kashian, Arden Gild Hall
For nearly 40 years, Jackie Kashian has been making people laugh on stage.
Her 2021 comedy special and album of the same title, “Stay-Kashian,” was No. 1 on iTunes and Amazon and debuted at No. 3 on the Billboard’s Comedy Chart; and it has over 75 million listens on Pandora and Spotify, per her bio.
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The comedian has two podcasts (“The Dork Forest” and “The Jackie and Laurie Show” alongside fellow comic Laurie Kilmartin, who was a longtime staffer on TBS show “Conan”).
While Jackie Kashian is prepared to keep boredom at bay for you in Arden, there’s no guarantee that you won’t drown in laughter while she’s rocking the stage.
Arden Gild Hall (2126 The Highway, Wilmington) at 8 p.m. Saturday, April 15. Tickets are $33.99. For more info, visit ardenconcerts.com.
Vic DiBitetto, baby grand
His mouth is filthier than a Walmart floor from the pre-pandemic days. That’s why it’s no surprise Vic DiBitetto co-headlined events with the legendary Andrew Dice Clay.
From the Amazon Prime drama “Gravesend,” Vic DiBitetto lives up to the show’s title as he assassinates dull evenings at home with in-your-face humor.
DiBitetto is a throwback comedian, and his 2 million-plus followers on social media know it.
Love him or hate him, DiBitetto is going to say what many are scared to speak.
baby grand (818 N. Market St., Wilmington) at 7 and 9:30 p.m. Friday, May 5. Tickets are $53. Visit thegrandwilmington.org or (800) 37-GRAND.
Tony T. Roberts, The Queen
How many comedians are touring venues Bruce Springsteen is currently playing?
This is the current reality for Tony T. Roberts, who is touring arenas and coliseums right now with headliner Katt Williams on the “2023 And Me Tour.”
Having served in the military for 10 years, Roberts is nicknamed the “Sergeant of Comedy.”
On stage, he’s delivered gut punches with his hard-hitting style of comedy. Roberts has cracked up audiences around the globe, with tours in places like Africa, Asia and the UK.
The veteran comic has been featured on everything from BET’s “ComicView” to the horror comedy film “Meet the Blacks.”
The Queen (500 N. Market St., Wilmington) at 4 p.m. Sunday, May 14. Tickets are $55-$75. Visit thequeenwilmington.com or (302) 400-7020.
Laff Festival, baby grand
The second Laff Festival aims to tickle you senseless with a night of comedy headlined by Reginald Ballard, best known as the iconic character Bruh Man from the sitcom “Martin.”
Ballard has appeared in numerous films and TV shows including “The Bernie Mac Show,” “NCIS” and “Menace II Society.
But in pop culture, he’ll forever be remembered for his role in the ’90s as Bruh Man, a gentle giant who lived on the fifth floor (or “flo”) in an apartment building where he loved making sandwiches and stretching out his neighbors’ clothes.
Funny enough, Ballard’s Instagram handle is @bruhman_5flo
The Laff Festival, presented by Bar None Entertainment, also includes Ralph “Ralph The Mouth” Anthony and Charles Walden. The event is hosted by Chris Thomas, who is the original host of BET’s “Rap City.”
baby grand (818 N. Market St., Wilmington) at 7 and 9:30 p.m. at Saturday, June 3. Tickets are $53. Visit thegrandwilmington.org or (800) 37-GRAND.
Brian Regan, Freeman Arts Pavilion
He cracks people up for a living. But it’s not a joke that the tickets to Brian Regan show are nearly sold out. He’s performed to sold-out crowds in two back-to-back dates at the Kennedy Center, which accents how prominent he is in the comedy community. Regan is known for his mix of witty writing and physicality.
Freeman Arts Pavilion (31806 Lakeview Drive, near Selbyville) at 7 p.m. Thursday, June 15. Tickets are $39-$64. Visit freemanarts.org or (302) 436-3015.
Tom Papa, Freeman Arts Pavilion
For two-plus decades, Tom Papa has been splitting sides and taking names. He’s been featured on comedian Joe Rogan’s podcast multiple times.
Last year his latest Netflix comedy special, “What a Day!,” offered a silly take about post-marriage intimacy, pet problems and how Papa believes men are to blame for most of life’s issues.
Freeman Arts Pavilion (31806 Lakeview Drive, near Selbyville) at 7 p.m. Sunday, July 16. Tickets are $39-$54. Visit freemanarts.org or (302) 436-3015.
Gabriel Iglesias, Delaware State Fair
Gabriel “Fluffy” Iglesias is arguably the cuddliest comedian in the world. This jolly giant is coming back to Harrington this summer with more foolishness.
Fluffy, who headlined the State Fair in 2017, has over 20 million followers across his social media platforms. He also has over 1 billion views alone on his YouTube channel.
The comedian’s ability to dish up clean while still making all ages laugh has separated him from the pack. Fluffy will squeeze big laughs out of the audience when he returns to the Small Wonder.
Delaware State Fair (18500 S. Dupont Highway, Harrington) at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, July 20. Tickets are $40 to $70 (plus service fees). For more info, visit delawarestatefair.com or (302) 398-3269.
Steve Hofstetter, The Queen
Over 750,000 followers on YouTube adore comedian Steve Hofstetter. Across all his social media platforms, he’s generated more than 2.5 million fans.
Hofstetter is one of the original columnist for CollegeHumor.com, a website that spotlighted Wilmington actress Aubrey Plaza, back in the day.
The stand-up comedian also was a columnist for Sports Illustrated and was nominated for a Nobel Prize, per Hofstetter’s bio.
The Queen (500 N. Market St., Wilmington) at 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 17. Tickets are $25-$95-plus. Visit thequeenwilmington.com or (302) 400-7020.
If you have an interesting story idea, email lifestyle reporter Andre Lamar at alamar@gannett.com. Consider signing up for his weekly newsletter, DO Delaware, at delawareonline.com/newsletters.
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